Bulgari is an Italian luxury brand known for its jewellery, watches, fragrances, accessories, and leather goods. Currently part of the LVMH Group, Bulgari was founded in the region of Epirus, Greece, in 1884 by the silversmith Sotirios Boulgaris as a single jewellery shop that has, over the years, become an international brand. The company has evolved into a major player in the luxury market, with an established and growing network of stores.
One of these stores is the Bulgari Boutique in roman Via Condotti, right at the bottom of the Spanish steps. The store was first opened in 1905 and since 1934 the façade of the Bulgari store has never changed its appearance, that is when world famous architect Florestano di Fausto changed the Art Nouveau sign “Old Curiosity Shop – Naples, Lucerne, St Moritz Bad” and the inscription “S. Bulgari”, to be only BVLGARI, with the V that recalls the epigraphy of Ancient Rome and the Italian architecture of that time.
Inside the store students found the Bulgari Heritage Collection, displayed in the Silver Room, now dubbed DomvsAvrea. This is a tribute to the historical origins of the brand as the company’s founder, Sotirio Bulgari, was a silversmith.
The archive is a unique treasure of Bulgari jewellery pieces with displays of both contemporary and historical high jewellery creations that perfectly showcase the Maison’s style evolution. The collection is ever expanding as the fashion house has been enriching it for the past 20 years with unmistakable designs.
Adding to the visit students also visited the PAPARAZZI exhibition, displaying shots of Hollywood celebrities in Bulgari, which added a special “Dolce Vita” touch to this out of campus experience.
An assortment of paparazzi memorabilia is included in the show, organized by Lucia Boscaini, Bulgari’s Brand Curator, like the camera Marcello Geppetti used to photograph Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton kissing on a yacht off Ischia, a famous image that confirmed their relationship to the world. Other photographies were taken by Tazio Secchiaroli and Rino Barillari, both linked to Fellini: making for a true immersion in the 50s and 60s glamour.
“Sharing such interesting moments with students is part of our study path. The Master in Fashion Management means theory on campus but also enriching experiences outside the classroom” – Prof. Giuliana Baldo Chiaron, Program Director of the RBS Master in Fashion Management, stated while also thanking the Bulgari Boutique and Flavia Muzi Falconi for organising the activity.
